Welsh Government intervention needed to support victims of abuse - Aled Roberts

March 12, 2013 5:11 PM

The Welsh Labour Government is failing to make sure that adequate counselling support is in place for the victims of child abuse in North Wales according to Aled Roberts AM.

Commenting, Aled Roberts, North Wales AM and Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children and Young People, said:

"The Health Minister, Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, wrote a response to the Chair of the Children and Young People Committee recently and said that she had been "assured that appropriate arrangements had been put in place".

"In fact, this is not the case and both the NSPCC and the Children's Commissioner have said that they are concerned about counselling provision, particularly after 31st March when the "emergency" counselling arrangements for many victims will come to an end.

"In the Siambr today the First Minister responded to my questions on this matter by referring to local authority provision, but would make no commitment to helping to find the resources to help make the necessary counselling available in North Wales. Much of the counselling will be required after the victims have been interviewed, the investigation concluded and any court proceedings undertaken. It is not acceptable for the Welsh Government to pass the buck with regard too ensuring the counselling is in place.

"Many of the victims have already reported that promises given at the time of earlier enquiries in respect of provision of counselling were not realised.

"This Welsh Labour Government needs to understand that there is a vast difference between what Ministers think is being done and what is actually happening in practice.

"Meanwhile, people who need counselling support face an uncertain wait at a time when they need to be feeling more secure about the future."